The child preacher who exposed a con

揭露骗局的儿童传教士

The Outlook Podcast Archive

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2022-03-17

37 分钟
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In 1944, Marjoe Gortner was just four years old when his parents had him ordained as an evangelical minister. He was dubbed ‘the miracle child’ and conducted his first marriage ceremony before he could barely even write. During the 1950s, he became a star turn on the American preaching circuit and attracted huge crowds for his exuberant preaching, raking in millions of dollars. Behind it all was an elaborate con and years later Marjoe went public with an expose that took him to Hollywood. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producers: Edgar Maddicott and Maryam Maruf Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com (Photo: A young Marjoe Gortner giving a sermon. Credit: Still from the documentary Marjoe, courtesy Sarah Kernonchan)
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  • Hello, I'm Jo Fidgeon.

  • Welcome to Outlook, where people from around the world share their extraordinary personal stories.

  • I'm now going to place to this end.

  • You know, folks, this is the voice of today's guest.

  • In his evangelical preaching heyday, he was just 4 years old.

  • Yes, I may be only 40 years old, but I'm not too young.

  • I love my Jesus.

  • I really know what it is to have Jesus in my heart.

  • Do you know what it is to have Jesus in your heart?

  • Yes.

  • Worldly mother of father.

  • The recording's 70 years old.

  • It's a bit shaky, so let me tell you what's being said.

  • Yes, I may be only four years old, but I'm not too young to love my Jesus.

  • I know what it is to have Jesus in my heart.

  • Do you know what it is to have Jesus in your heart?

  • The crowds, and they were crowds on the revivalist circuit in the United States, would go wild speaking in tongues, witnessing what they considered miracles and handing over their cash in great quantities.

  • Marjo Gardner, that's the preacher's name, was undoubtedly a star.

  • But years later he would speak up about the contrickery and worse behind the scenes.

  • Now, Marjo is an unusual name, but then he comes from an unusual family.